Chapter Text
Serena walked quickly up the cobbled road toward the vast gate. The entrance to the city would be easily defended. The large gate sat between two towers and was flanked by enormous mountains. Serena had stated that the city was shielded by the mountains, leaving this valley and the harbour as the only entrances. They passed through the gates with ease, the guards eyed them strangely but let the pair enter without hassle.
After passing the front gate, they had to pass a long bridge that connected the outer curtain wall to the inner, where a second gatehouse was built. A small group of soldiers stood at the end of the bridge. Serena's brow scrunched up in confusion, but she quickly shook it off. They crossed the crowded bridge passing by masons, stone cutters and other tradesmen as they worked on large circular bases.
A royal blue flag danced in the wind over the gate, the golden lion in the centre gave a feeling of nobility as they passed through the guards. Past the gatehouse and through the tunnel, they found themselves staring down a wide street flanked by wooden houses, and people scurried to and fro. Carpenters, merchants, stonemasons and guards all carrying out their day.
Serena smiled as her eyes danced, glancing over the new buildings. She seemed older now. Her thin lips had drawn tightly, and her emerald eyes pointed to the tower door at the street's far end. "This," Her voice cracked. "This is the trade district, or at least it will be. A few stores have opened, and I hear Elling is entering the family business."
Katsuki pursed his lips. The crowd was animated with workers and villagers running to and fro but, there seemed to be an anxious undercurrent as if they were waiting for an explosion.
She took a final shaky breath and pulled his hand. "Come along, Katsuki. We need to be there before noon." She took a right and walked through a maze of streets and over a bridge into the Cathedral district: unlike the Trade district, the roofs were yellow. The sound of construction was deafening, centring on a massive cathedral at the heart of the district.
Serena pulled him to the left of the massive temple toward a much humbler building across the street. A tall, brunette man stood outside talking with a matronly lady. The matron seemed to be exasperated with the man.
"We can't keep doing this, John," The matron scolded. "The orphanage can only hold so much." The man looked young. In his twenties, maybe. "I understand your grievances, Nightingale, but we can't simply turn our backs and close our hearts to those who need us."
Serena chuckled, but Katsuki could hear an edge of worry in her voice. "You two never change. Nightingale, John, this is Katsuki. He's the boy I told you about." Serena said with a smile.
John hummed and came forward. The man is tall with short, honey-blond hair and light stubble on his face. "Hi, Katsuki, my name's John Turner. You'll be under my care until we can find you some new guardians."
The man's tone is friendly, and using the word Guardian rather than parent is wise. Still, Katsuki didn't know how to respond to the man beyond nodding. John does not comment and pats Katsuki's head.
"Will you be able to care for him?" Serena asked, her hand clasped around his shoulders as she looked at John.
The man pauses for a moment before he nods. "We'll put him on the list. There are few orphans of the Great War in Stormwind itself, so we'll have open space for a while yet."
Nightingale sighs and shakes her head. "Space may not be a concern, but what about food or blankets? We can't afford to take in every orphan in Stormwind, even with your fiancé's connections to the Mason's guild."
Katsuki's mind raced as they spoke. 'Great Wars? Against whom and why?' Katsuki tried to school his expression, but Serena must have noticed his troubled expression because she lowered her hand, reaching down and placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Nightingale and John bicker for another few moments before the Matron relents and shakes her head before heading into the construction site. Serena, seeing their argument abate, spoke up. "Do you know when he can move in?"
John stops to consider his next words. "Provided there aren't any more delays, Clyde said that the bulk of the construction should be finished within the month." Katsuki quirked his head. 'Delays?'
Serena sighed, but nodded. "I see, I suppose we shouldn't expect such a small project to be a priority." The conversation peters out as Serena says her goodbyes and guides Katsuki back to the city's entrance. A few questions dominated his mind, but that was drowned out as they crossed the bridge and found a young blond-haired man, fishing rod in hand, with his line cast over the side of the bridge into the river.
"Ah, missus Serena, what a surprise," He said, reeling in his line. "What brings you to the big city this fine morning?" He asked with what he thought must be a rougish smile. Serena, for her part, kept her smile, but it tightened. "Ah, Aron, how good to see you. I was taking Katsuki to the orphanage to see if they had room for him. Serena's hands squeeze his shoulders as she continues. "Thankfully, they do so now. I'm headed back to Lion's Pride. Good day, Aron."
Serena turned and with her hands still on his shoulders, she walked back to the inn. Part of him wanted to ask about the strained encounter, but Katsuki thought better of it and simply allowed himself to be taken away.